# NTSB FTW92LA084: Piper PA-28-180, N8287W, Mangum, OK, March 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1992, 01:42 local (07:42 UTC)
- Place: Mangum, OK
- Coordinates: 34.869956, -99.499198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8700&lon=-99.4992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18454/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA084

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRPLANE ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT AT 0130 ON A VERY DARK NIGHT. IMPACT WITH THE GROUND WAS MADE IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. NUMEROUS BEER BOTTLES WERE FOUND LAYING ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE WRECKAGE. THE HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED THAT THE PILOT TESTED POSITIVE FOR ALCOHOL AT THE TIME OF ADMITTANCE TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. A PASSENGER REPORTED THE PILOT WAS FLYING WITH NO LIGHTS ON. NO ANOMALIES WERE FOUND ON THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8287W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8287W-1993-06-10), registration cancelled 1993-06-10, S/N 282448 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2448
- Airframe hours: 2460
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley R. Wright
- Registered owner: Stanley R. Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1991, 90 hours before
- Departed: OK07, HOLLIS, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 326 total, 292 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LTS, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920308005319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920308005319A), Mar 8, 1992: Piper PA28180, Mangum, OK, Substantial damage. Descended at night into ground while manuevering without lights. Crashed in pasture. VFR conditions.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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